Paris, je t’aime and New York, I Love You put an interesting spin on the hit-or-miss “anthology film” by taking their respective locations, giving filmmakers of varying talent the right to make a short, and saw what came of it all. The problem is, I’d never even dare to consider either successful; a shame, since it’s easy to recognize both the immense potential of and appeal in such a concept. The execution has just been so botched with each attempt.

It’s because of this I’m rooting for Sydney Unplugged, another variation of this idea that we knew of back in late June, then under the moniker of Sydney, I Love You. News of the omnibus story — which would tell twelve stories, each set in one different month of the year — has been entirely quiet for nearly eight months, but THR have come in and revealed a full list of Sydney‘s directors. Let’s just that, when producer Gary Hamilton claimed that his native country had “an embarrassment of riches,” he wasn’t kidding.

Directing the shorts will be, in no particular order, David Michôd (Animal Kingdom), Alex Proyas, Russell Crowe, Anthony LaPaglia, Kieran Darcy-Smith (Wish You Were Here), Liev Schreiber (he’s not Australian!), Toni Collette, Ray Lawrence (Lantana), Rachel Ward (Beautiful Kate), John Polson (Hide and Seek),Ivan Sen (Toomelah), and John Curran (The Painted Veil). Impressive, indeed. Polson, who is also producing, claims that their hope is to a) “tell stories that showcase one of the world’s most beautiful cities,” and b) commence shooting during the second half of this year. With this, a 2013 release is to be expected.

Have you been a fan of the other city-based anthology films? Will a Sydney-set one appeal to you on any level?